BJP’s Uttar Pradesh government bans sale of halal-certified products in latest anti-Muslim move

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has imposed an immediate ban on the sale of halal-certified products, covering the entire supply chain, from production to distribution and sale, within the state.

However, it exempts products intended for export from these restrictions. The official decree emphasizes the imposition of strict legal measures against individuals or entities involved in any aspect of the production and sale of halal-certified drugs, medical devices and cosmetics within the state.

According to the order, the parallel halal certification system creates confusion about the quality of food items and is deemed untenable under Section 89 of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

It contends that the power to determine the quality of foodstuffs rests exclusively with the institutions specified in Article 29 of the Act. The provision further points out that certain drugs, medical devices and cosmetic products are halal certified without any provision for such labeling in government rules related to drugs and cosmetics.

The move follows a police case against a company and several organizations accused of exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales through alleged “fake” halal certificates. Entities such as halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai and Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra are facing charges of issuing fake certificates to manipulate sales based on religious preferences. The complainant raised concerns about a widespread conspiracy aimed at reducing sales of non-halal certified products.

In response to the allegations, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust called them “baseless” and vowed to take the necessary legal action to counter what they saw as misinformation. Halal certification, found on the labels of various food products, indicates adherence to Islamic law during preparation, ensuring that the food is unadulterated and free of ingredients prohibited in the Muslim diet.

The ban underscores the government’s commitment to upholding established regulations while addressing concerns related to the potential misuse of halal certification for financial gain.